Charlie McCarthy and Freddie Martin

Sunday, October 3, 1937

Ding references Charlie McCarty, who I believe is Charlie McCarthy, the dummy puppet of ventriloquist Edgar Bergen on “The Chase and Sanborn Hour.” I found an episode listed for 10-3-37 that featured guests Sally Eilers and Rudy Vallee (guest host) in a book called, “Radio Series Scripts, 1930-2001: A Catalog of the American Radio Archives.”

Ding also references hearing Freddie Martin (I believe this is actually Freddy Martin.) I am trying to find a song named, “Josephine,” which I believe is Ding and Dorothy’s song.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0552303/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm

 

Monday, October 4, 1937

My Dear Dorothy:

Was surprised and delighted today at noon when the post man handed me your letter.
I did’nt expect to hear from you so early in the week, however right off hand I don’t know of a better way to start the week.

Yes I did hear Charlie McCarty, sunday night,I also heard Freddie Martin, play Josephine, I don’t know how to spell that song but it brought me some very happy thoughts.
I also spent sunday at the farm, my ducks are getting to smart, they are flying all over the place, next sunday I will clip their wings so they won’t pull out for Florida, on me some day and leave me alone in this cold climate, I have a couple nice fat drakes selected to afford a duck dinner of no small consequence.

Now about K.K. as you put it,I can go either Tues. or Wed. the latter is fine with me, however if you prefer Tue. you will have to call me.
Do you think you can get a ride up here, if not I can come after you, if you can what time will you be here, if you get here early enought we can eat here or enroute or whatever the situation calls for.
I had to come back to the store to write you this as I did not have time today, Phil Rausch, just called me and wanted me to play poker tonight, I had to refuse as as soon as this is completed I am going home, I sure got in a mess of as’s did’t I.

I note with not a great deal of enthusiasm that you are going to Charles City, this weekend, I am sure you will have fun.

I can’t quite figure out when you wrote your letter, you said it took hours and I received it monday noon, evidently you met the train, anyway I was sure glad to get it.

The first thing saturday morning Beverly asked me if you were going to stay with her that night, I of course had to disappoint her.

Dorothy Be Baggio No. 2.

special,note page 2.

I feel I must remind you of something you evidently do hold as a little silly.
I have reference to you serious paragraph.
Dorothy, don’t ever apologize for that wednesday night again, I think it was wonderful, not one thing about it was dumb exept me and you will have to forgive me, but I think it was swell and think just a lot of you for it.

I am extremely sorry if my conversation or actions last friday night had the slightest intimation that I was not pleased with what happened Wednesday.

It is nine o’clock and a fellow a friend of mine just now came in and bought a suit, two birds with one stone you can’t beat that.

This is the longest letter I ever wrote and am just about out of gas, I didn’t know it took so long to write one letter.

Well Dorothy, Iam getting near the bottom of the page and about out of gas, so buzz one back at me quick and let me know when you will get here.

As ever
“Ding”

 

Thursday, October 7, 1937 7:45 PM

My Dear Dorothy:

Just as I thought, we were very busy not so much this pm but very busy this morning just when I was’nt in the mood, but as you see I struggled thru the day.
How were you? i’ll bet you were in the sweet pea’s all day, a shining example for tots, however if they heard KK play Josephine twice as we did I am sure they would forgive you.
I think it was well worth the effort don’t you? it is’nt every day we can dance to a band like that.

Don said Kay was to the dance, we saw her Dad pushing a babe around in a very graceful manner, but I did not hear you mention that you saw Kay.

I certainly must have had my eyes shut as several people fom here saw me, also you, but I did’nt see them, mabe I was’nt looking for anyone.

Saturday there is a dance at the elks club and one at Oelwein, at oelwein Don Strickland and at the elks Court Hussy, take your pick, that is if you still intend to stay in these parts, which I hope you do.

I am expecting a letter from you in the morning mail and if there is’nt don’t read this one.

If you decide to come up Friday which is today now, I will be here or if you mention another suggestion in your letter I will see what can be done about it.

Have you heard from your Mother, is she coming Sat. or was that just fooling.

I am at the end of the page honey, so will close hoping you are the same, I remain as ever,

Yours truly
“Ding”

Saturday, October 23, 1937

Dear Dorothy:

In this morning’s mail, after meeting the mail man at the door all week, was a letter that looked good to me, in fact I could kiss Mrs. woods for supplying the necessary menu. I was not expecting a letter but met him just the same.

Now regarding your Calot, I will send it to you next Tues. or Wed. I am leaving sunday night I think for Lansing, Iowa, and will return Tues. night. Bond Lane, and myself are going duck hunting for a couple of days, I have not hunted as yet and hope to get some good shooting.

Herewith you will find a card, note how it is addressed, I don’t know who sent it to me as we have three feloows mail them, however here is the pay off, the mail man handed it to me and said, I always wondered what you first name was, your mail as a rule reads Ding Oconnor, now he thinks that is my first name.

I have missed your letters very much too, Dorothy, and like you, I hope, I will get used to it.

I was indeed glad to learn that school is fine and I am sure you are a good teacher, I think so and who is a better judge than I.
West High beat Council Bluffs last night in a very thrilling game, the best game of the year, only one thing missing.

Well Dorothy, as you can see I am about to the bottom of the page and this is saturday.
If you think of something else you may have left here do not hesitate to inquire.

I was very glad to hear from you.

As ever
“Ding”

Demaggio Occonnor

October 25, 1937

Ding references an “enclosed” card. The card is addressed:

Demaggio Occonnor
509 Sycamore St.
City

The other side says:

Phi Sigs:

Coach Leonard Raffensperger will be our guest and speaker Monday Night October 25th at Black’s Tea Room.

Every Phi Sig is urgently requested to attend this talk and meeting. Be up for dinner and meet Raff. Dinner at 6:30 meeting at 8

Ding O’Connor, Pres.

Monday, November 1, 1937

Dear Dorothy:

I received your letter today and note it had gone thru the regular United States postal channels, I am glad, as it is gratifying to be fully recompensed, is’nt it?

The reason I was not sure that I could go to the dinner, we are signing a new lease and were to meet with the owner of the building either Tues. or Wed night, it happened however he left town this AM. therefore we will not do it until next week.
Had you not been compelled to attend your “must affair” we could have had dinner tonight.

Concerning your arrangements with the M.D. made by a friend of your’s.
Convention’s as a rule, accompany fun, wich you are justly entitled and I sincerely hope that you do have a lot of it and enjoy every minute of your short vacation.
As far as being adverse to your having a date with him I am not Dorothy, you can’t have fun alone and I want you to have fun and will like you just as much.
If you want to come back Saturday, I would like to have you and will expect you unless you advise me differently.
The Iowa City, deal is off, at least for this week end, I received a letter fom Eddie, she wanted to know why I completely ignored here invitation to come down over home coming week end after I had promised that I might come and would let her know.
She also advised me that she had made other arrangements, so that’s that.
Now as for you, you have a good time and I will be happy to see you Saturday.

As ever
“Ding”

Monday, November 8, 1937

Dear Dorothy:

I just have a couple of second’s to write this to you.
Our Phi Sig meeting starts in a very few minute’s and of course I will have to open same.

Yesterday was certainly a great day Ralph and I rode most of the afternoon and today I find myself a little stiff.
I did’t get home until about 10 bells such late hours for me on a sunday.
Myrtle, send’s to you her best regards in fact we all missed you.

Say, we are going to have that dinner tonight Tues. Nov. 9th.
I will be after you about 6:15 be sure you have an appetite.

Will see you tonight.

As ever
“Ding”